Systems and methods for securing cargo on a flatbed carrier

ABSTRACT

The cargo system secures at least one steel coil for transport on a flatbed carrier. Each coil sits on movable cargo supports coupled on top of a base with support beams. Support brackets couple the support beams to anchoring beams that are coupled to the flatbed carrier. Once a coil is loaded, arms with adjacent upper and lower segments connected by cross members pivot on arm mounts to make contact with the coil. The arms adjust by lengthening or shortening based on the size of the coil. Tethers pass through anchor brackets and over the coil to hold the coil to the base. The arms apply pressure to the coil based on the tension of tethers that extend from the ends of the arms and couple to tethering brackets coupled to the frame of the carrier.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/576,949, entitled “Systems and Methods forSecuring Cargo on a Flatbed Carrier” and filed on Jul. 24, 2015, whichis incorporated herein by reference.

RELATED ART

Conventional cargo securement systems prepare steel coils for transporton a flatbed carrier using a combination of parts such as wedges,timbers, chocks or bunks adjacent to the deck of the carrier to bracethe cargo (i.e., prevent shifting, rolling or sliding), and tie downssuch as straps, ropes or chains to physically anchor the cargo to thecarrier. However, even when a combination of wooden timbers, coil bunksand chains is used as specified in the applicable regulations forsecuring large cylindrical metal coils, such device combinations andconfigurations are sometimes inadequate to secure various cargo duringtransit, such as heavy, difficult to secure steel coils. For example, ithas been observed that in emergency situations, the coils may break freeand shift, roll or slide and fall from the carrier. As a result, severedamage, injury or death may occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scalerelative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional perspective view illustrating a flatbedcarrier.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional perspective view illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a cargo system.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional perspective view depicting a cargo system,such as is depicted by FIG. 2, coupled to a flatbed carrier.

FIG. 4 is a rear view illustrating a cargo system, such as is depictedby FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a cargo system, such as is depictedby FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an anchoring tab of a cargo systeminserted into a slot of a flatbed carrier.

FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating a tether anchoring bracket.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a tether anchoring bracket.

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a tether anchoringbracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods forsecuring cargo on a flatbed carrier. In one exemplary embodiment, thecargo system secures at least one steel coil for transport on a flatbedcarrier. A base lies on the flatbed carrier and couples to the flatbedcarrier so that the base does not move with respect to the flatbedcarrier. Cargo supports (e.g., chocks or wedges) on the base lock into aposition that will support a steel coil and brace it against movementduring transport. Adjustable arms coupled to the base pivot toward thecoil, pressing against upper portions of the coil to brace the coil fortransport. Tethers extend from distal ends of each of the arms andcouple to the carrier, holding tension between the arms and the carrier,so that the arms press against the coil and secure the coil to thecarrier. Using such techniques, the system can secure steel coils fortransport on a flatbed carrier and reduce the likelihood that a coilwill break free from the carrier during transit.

FIG. 1 depicts a flatbed carrier 5. The carrier 5 shown in FIG. 1 is aconventional flatbed trailer 5 to be connected to and pulled by avehicle, such as an 18 wheeler truck, but in other embodiments, otherflatbed carriers 5 (such as flatbed rail cars for transport by train)are possible. The carrier 5 shown in FIG. 1 has a generally flat deck 7,a stop rail 8 and parallel side rails 10 separated from the deck 7 byspaces that roughly form slots (not specifically shown in FIG. 1)between the side rails 10 and the deck 7. The carrier 5 also has amainframe 13 that provides support to its deck 7 and couples to a rearwheel and axle system 18 so that a tractor (not shown) can tow thecarrier 5.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a cargo system 20 that can bemounted on a conventional flatbed carrier 5 for transporting cargoaccording to the techniques described herein. As shown by FIG. 2, thesystem 20 comprises a base 21 that detachably couples to the carrier 5and is capable of supporting cargo for transit on the carrier 5. Thebase 21 has a plurality of anchoring beams 22 for coupling to a flatbedcarrier 5 as described further below. The base 21 also has a pluralityof support beams 27 that run between the anchoring beams 22. In theexemplary embodiment shown by FIG. 2, two anchoring beams 22 sit on topof the deck 7 of a flatbed carrier 5, oriented perpendicularly withrespect to the side rails 10 the carrier 5 (i.e., crosswise on thecarrier 5) as discussed further below. In the instant embodiment, eachanchoring beam 22 has a first end and a second end, and each end has atleast one generally flat tab 28 that fits between the deck 7 and a siderail 10 (FIG. 3) for securing the anchoring beam 22 to the carrier 5, asdescribed further below. In one embodiment, the anchoring beams 22 areI-beams having an I-shaped cross section, but other shapes of theanchoring beams 22 are possible. In other embodiments, the anchoringbeams 22 have a generally uniform square or rectangular cross section.

As further shown by FIG. 2, two adjacent support beams 27 sit on thedeck 7 between the anchoring beams 22 and generally parallel to the siderails 10 of the bed of the carrier 5 (i.e., lengthwise). Each supportbeam 27 has a first end attached to one anchoring beam 22 and a secondend attached to another anchoring beam 22. In one embodiment, thesupport beams 27 have a generally uniform square or rectangular crosssection, but other cross sections of the support beams 27 are possiblein other embodiments. Note that in the exemplary embodiment shown byFIG. 1, two support beams 27 couple perpendicularly relative to theanchoring beams 22 in a configuration for carrying one steel coil (notshown in FIG. 2) with its eye crosswise on the carrier 5, as describedin more detail hereafter. In other embodiments, other shapes of theanchoring beams 22 are possible.

The anchoring beams 22 have a plurality of adjacent support brackets 30that couple the support beams 27 to the anchoring beams 22. Each supportbracket 30 holds an end of a support beam 27. In this regard, eachsupport bracket 30 has at least two opposing plates 31 that contact anend of a support beam 27, and a pin 33 is inserted through the plates 31and the support beam 27 in order to secure the end of the support beam27 to the bracket 30 and, hence, the anchoring beam 22 on which thebracket 30 is mounted. By removing the pin 33 from the plates 31 and thesupport beam 27, the support beam 27 can be removed and coupleddetachably to any other support bracket 30. Other techniques forcoupling the support beams 27 to the anchoring beams 22 are possible inother embodiments.

Note that each support beam 27 can couple to the anchoring beams 22 viaany of the support brackets 30 based on the size and number of coils(not shown in FIG. 1) the system 20 must secure. In this regard, eachend of each support beam 27 decouples from its respective supportbracket 30, and can couple interchangeably with any other supportbrackets 30, if desired.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted by FIG. 2, a total of eightevenly-spaced support brackets 30 on the two anchoring beams 22 cancouple up to four support beams 27 to the anchoring beams 22. In oneembodiment, the ends of two support beams 27 detachably couple to thetwo anchoring beams 22 using the four inner-most support brackets 30when the system 20 is arranged to carry one steel coil (not shown inFIG. 2) with its eye facing crosswise on the carrier 5 (i.e., thelongitudinal axis of the eye is perpendicular to the side rails 10 ofthe carrier 5). In this regard, the support beams 27 support the weightof the coil (not shown in FIG. 2) generally over the center of the deck7 of the flatbed carrier 5, promoting stability during transport. Whenthe system 20 is configured to secure two steel coils (not shown in FIG.2) sitting side-by-side with eyes facing crosswise, four support beams27 detachably couple to the two anchoring beams 22 using all eightsupport brackets 30 of the anchoring beams 22 (i.e., two support beams27 for each coil). In other embodiments, other configurations of thecargo system 20, including other numbers of support beams 27, anchoringbeams 22, and brackets 30 may be used.

As noted above, a plurality of adjustable arms 40 extends upward fromthe base 21 (e.g., upward from an anchoring beam 22 of the base 21 infront of the coil and an anchoring beam 22 of the base 21 behind it) andapplies pressure to an upper portion of each coil (not shown in FIG. 2).In an exemplary embodiment, each arm 40 has two adjacent lower segments45 and two adjacent upper segments 47. As will be described in moredetail below, each lower segment 45 is pivotally coupled to an anchoringbeam 22 by a respective arm mount 150, and an opposite end of each lowersegment 45 is coupled to hollow sleeve 48 into which a respective one ofthe upper segments 47 is inserted. In this regard, for each hollowsleeve 48, a respective one of the upper segments 47 slides with respectto the longitudinal axis of the hollow sleeve 48 to adjust the length ofthe arm 40 in order to accommodate coils (not shown in FIG. 2) ofvarious sizes. Specifically, the length of an arm 40 (from the end thatis coupled to the base 21 to the end that contacts the coil) decreasesas its upper segment 47 is pushed further into the sleeve 48 such thatthe arm's cross member 149 moves toward the sleeve 48, and the length ofthe arm 40 increases as its upper segment 47 is pulled from the sleeve48 such that the arm's cross member 149 moves away from the sleeve 48.

Note that the hollow sleeves 48 coupled to adjacent lower segments 45are also adjacent to one another. In one embodiment, the cross-sectionalshapes of the upper segments 47 correspond to the cross-sectional shapesof the hollow sleeves 48, though other cross-sectional shapes of theupper segments 47 and hollow sleeves 48 are possible in otherembodiments. In this regard, the adjacent upper segments 47 slide withinthe hollow sleeves 48 to adjust (i.e., lengthen or shorten) the length(i.e., the height) of each arm 40. Other techniques for adjusting thelength of each of the plurality of arms 40 based on coil size arepossible in other embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, a pin 33 secures each upper segment 47 itsrespective hollow sleeve 48 once the segment 47 has been moved to anappropriate position to achieve a desired arm length. In this regard,each upper segment 47 has a plurality of holes perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the segment 47. At least one of the plurality ofholes 50 on an upper segment 47 aligns with at least one of a pluralityof holes 50 on the hollow sleeve 48 into which the upper segment 47 isinserted. For each of the sleeves 48, at least one pin 33 passes throughthe sleeve 48 into at least one of the plurality of holes 50 in theupper segments 47 that is inserted into the sleeve 48 thereby securingthe upper segment 47 to the sleeve 48 and, hence, the lower segment 45on which the sleeve 48 is coupled. Inserting a pin 33 through the sleeve48 and upper segment 47 as shown has the effect of locking the length ofthe arm 40 from a bottom end of the lower segment 45 to a top end of theupper segment 47. When the pin 33 is removed, the upper segment 47 isfree to move within the sleeve 48 and can be moved by hand into a newposition within the sleeve 48, thereby changing the overall length ofthe arm 40.

In the instant embodiment, at least one of a plurality of cross members149 couples a lower segment 45 to its respective adjacent lower segment45, and at least one of a plurality of cross members 149 couples anupper segment 47 to its respective adjacent upper segment 47. In thisregard, the plurality of cross members 149 generally enhances therigidity and stability of each arm 40 and provides additional support toadjacent lower segments 45 and upper segments 47 by coupling themtogether. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of cross members149 is oriented with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of each respective lower segment 45 or upper segment47.

In yet other embodiments, at least some of the plurality of crossmembers 149 may be oriented with their longitudinal axis at varyingangles relative to each respective lower segment 45 or upper segment 47,while others are oriented with their longitudinal axis orientedperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each lower segment 45 or uppersegment 47. Note that it is not necessary for all of the plurality ofcross members 149 to couple with their longitudinal axis at the sameangle relative to the longitudinal axis of each respective lower support45 or upper support 47. In some embodiments, it is unnecessary for thearms 40 to include cross members 149. As an example, in such embodimentsin which the arms 40 do not include any of the plurality of crossmembers 149, each arm 40 may have only one lower segment 45 and oneupper segment 47, coupled via a pin 33 passing through at least one of aplurality of holes 50 in the upper segment 47 and a hollow sleeve 48 asdescribed above. In this regard, each upper segment 47 slides within thehollow sleeve 48 to lengthen or shorten the length of the arm 40,according to the techniques described above or otherwise.

Each anchoring beam 22 has at least one arm mount 150 for coupling arespective one of the arms 40 to the anchoring beam 22. In the exemplaryembodiment shown by FIG. 2, each anchoring beam 22 has fourevenly-spaced adjacent arm mounts 150 fixed to an upper side of theanchoring beam 22. Two adjacent arm mounts 150 couple the respectivelower segments 45 of a respective arm 40 to a corresponding anchoringbeam 22 (i.e., two adjacent mounts 150 per arm 40). The arm mounts 150permit the arms 40 to pivot with respect to the arm mounts 150 (i.e.,toward or away from a coil) so that the arms 40 can adjust to makecontact with an upper portion of a coil (not shown in FIG. 2). A usermay pivot the arms 40 about the arm mounts 150 by hand to make contactwith a coil (not shown in FIG. 2) if desired. Note that each arm 40shown by FIG. 2 couples detachably to its respective arm mounts 150 sothat it can be removed from one arm mount 150 and then coupledinterchangeably with any other arm mounts 150, if desired. In thisregard, the arms 40 can couple to the anchoring beams 22 via anyadjacent pair of arm mounts 150 based on the size and number of coils auser desires to transport using the system 20.

Tethers (not shown in FIG. 2) extend from tethering tabs 160 totethering brackets 165 that are mounted on the mainframe 13 (not shownin FIG. 2) of the carrier 5, as discussed below. In an exemplaryembodiment, each of the plurality of arms 40 has at least one tetheringtab 160 for coupling to a tether (not shown in FIG. 2). In oneembodiment, a tether (not shown in FIG. 2) passes through the tetheringtab 160 and provides tension to the arm 40 when the tether (not shown inFIG. 2) experiences tension. In this regard, tension in each tether (notshown in FIG. 2) transferred by its corresponding tethering tab 160 toan arm presses the arm 40 against a coil (not shown in FIG. 2) that isloaded into the system 20, as described in further detail hereafter. Theforce exerted by arm 40 holds the coil in place during transport.

In some embodiments, additional devices may be used to couple the system20 to a carrier 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown by FIG. 2, each ofthe anchoring beams 22 of the system 20 has a bracing member 170 thatpasses through or beneath the mainframe 13 and deck 7 of the carrier 5roughly parallel to each of the anchoring beams 22. Threaded bolts 175pass through each end of each of the anchoring beams 22 and holes 177 onends of each of the bracing members 170. Nuts 180 may be tightened ontoeach of the threaded bolts 175 to provide sufficient pressure againsteach bracing member 170 to secure each of the plurality of bracingmembers 170 to the carrier 5. Note that it is not necessary for thebracing member 170 to pass through or beneath the mainframe 13 and deck7 of the carrier 5 in other embodiments, and threaded bolts 175 may beused to secure a plurality of bracing members 170 at each respective endof each anchoring beam 22 in other embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional perspective view of the cargo system 20coupled to a flatbed carrier 5. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3,flat bottom sides of two anchoring beams 22 sit adjacent to the deck 7of the carrier 5. Flat bottom sides of two support beams 27 also sit onthe deck 7 and run between two anchoring beams 22. In one embodiment,each of the generally flat tabs 28 located on the ends of each anchoringbeam 22 extends downward and fits into one of a plurality of slots 229on the flatbed carrier 5.

Note that the plurality of slots 229 is defined by the space between theside rails 10 and the deck 7 of the flatbed carrier 5, and that theplurality of slots 229 generally corresponds to the sizes of the tabs26. Thus, the plurality of side rails 10 brace the tabs 28 againstlateral or horizontal movement with respect to the deck 7 of the carrier5. In this regard, the tabs 28 help to hold the anchor beams 22 in placeon the carrier 5 when inserted into the plurality of slots 229. Notethat, in the instant embodiment, the tabs 28 essentially couple theanchoring beams 22 to the carrier 5 by snugly fitting into each of therespective plurality of slots 229 without the necessity of pins 33 orother coupling devices. In other embodiments, other devices ortechniques for holding or otherwise coupling the anchoring beams 22 tothe carrier 5 are possible.

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the system 20. Note that the system 20 shownby FIG. 4 is not loaded (i.e., there is no coil shown). In the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 4, a plurality of cross members 149 connects each ofthe respective upper segments 47 and respective lower segments 45 of thearm 40. In this regard, the cross members 49 of the arm 40 essentiallycouple each of the upper segments 47 and lower segments 45 of each arm40 together.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted by FIG. 4, the system 20 isconfigured to carry one steel coil (not shown in FIG. 4), with the eyeof the coil (not shown in FIG. 4) facing crosswise, as described above.An arm 40 is coupled to the two innermost arm mounts 150 on theanchoring beam 22. Note that the arm 40 also can be coupled to any otherpair of arm mounts 150 on the anchoring beam 22. Note that when thesystem 20 is configured to carry two steel coils (not shown in FIG. 4),the coils (not shown in FIG. 4) may sit side-by-side on the carrier 5,such that the eyes of each coil (not shown in FIG. 4) face crosswise.The two lower segments 45 of each arm 40 couple to the left-most armmounts 150, while the two lower segments 45 of another arm 40 couple tothe right-most arm mounts 150. As noted above, the lower segments 45 ofeach respective arm 40 can couple interchangeably with any other pair ofarm mounts 150 coupled to the anchoring beam 22.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 further shows adjacent tie downbrackets 230 fixed to the anchoring beam 22. As noted above, FIG. 4depicts the system 20 configured to secure one steel coil (not shown inFIG. 4). In this regard, only two tie down brackets 230 are shown, butthe system 20 has additional adjacent tie down brackets 230 in otherembodiments. A plurality of tethers (such as straps, ropes, rods,chains, cords, or belts) passes, loops through or otherwise couples toeach tie down bracket 230 fixed to the top of each anchoring beam 22.The plurality of tethers (not shown) passes over the top of the coil(not shown in FIG. 4) and passes, loops through or otherwise couples toa corresponding tie down bracket 230 on another side of the coil (notshown in FIG. 4). Note that, in some embodiments, each of the pluralityof tethers (not shown) may be adjusted to create sufficient tension inthe tether (not shown), such that it holds the coil (not shown in FIG.4) securely to carrier 5.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the system 20. A coil 310 sits on aplurality of cargo supports 315 coupled to a support beam 27. In theexemplary embodiment shown by FIG. 5, two cargo supports 315 sit on thesame support beam 27 in opposing orientations. Note that each cargosupport 315 has at least one top surface that makes contact with a coil310 sitting on the cargo support. In one embodiment, the shape of thetop surface of each cargo support 315 that makes contact with the coil310 generally corresponds to the shape of the coil 310, although othershapes, types and numbers of cargo supports 315 are possible in otherembodiments. As an example, the top surface may have a substantiallysimilar radius of curvature as the coil 310 such that the outer surfaceof the coil 310 is flush with the top surface of the cargo support 315.Note that two support beams 27 coupled to adjacent support brackets 30,as depicted by FIG. 2 above, can support one coil 310 situated with itseye crosswise for transport. That is, four cargo supports 315 coupled totwo adjacent support beams 27 support the coil 310 by forming a cradlethat will generally brace the coil 310 against movement. Similarly, foursupport beams 27 and their associated cargo supports 315 can support twocoils 310.

In an exemplary embodiment, cargo supports 315 are detachably coupled tothe support beams 27 so that the cargo supports 315 can be moved withrespect to the support beams 27 and spaced at a distance correspondingto the size of the coil 310 to provide support. As noted above, each ofthe cargo supports 315 fits over its respective support beam 27 andslides with respect to the support beam 27 to accommodate coils 310 ofvarious sizes. Once the cargo support 315 is positioned as may bedesired, it is secured to its support element 27 so that it can supporta coil 310 that is positioned on the cargo support 315. In oneembodiment, at least one of a plurality of holes 50 on each of the cargosupports 315 aligns with at least one of a plurality of holes 50 on eachof the support beams 27. When the respective holes 50 of a cargo support315 are aligned with the holes 50 of the support beam 27, at least onepin 33 (not shown in FIG. 5) may be inserted through at least one of thealigned holes 50, thereby securing the cargo support 315 to itsrespective support beam 27. By removing the pin 33 from the support beam27 and the cargo support 315, the cargo support 315 is free to move withrespect to the support beam 27 and can be slid by hand or otherwise to anew position on the support beam 27. Each cargo support 315 can bedetachably coupled to its respective support beam 27 by other techniquesin other embodiments.

In the exemplary embodiment shown by FIG. 5, two arms 40 extend upwardfrom the anchoring beams 22 to brace the coil 310 from a front side ofthe coil 310 and a rear side of the coil 310, respectively. As notedabove, the arms 40 can be pivoted and adjusted to accommodate the sizeof the coil 310. In FIG. 5, upper segments 47 of two arms 40 extend fromtheir respective hollow sleeves 48 and contact an upper portion of thecoil 310 to secure it, as described further below.

As further shown by FIG. 5, a plurality of tethers 318 provides tensionto each of the arms 40. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one tether318 provides sufficient tension to causes its respective arm 40 to pressagainst the coil 310 with sufficient pressure to secure it, as describedfurther below. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 5, the tethers 318 areconventional steel chains, but other types of tethers 318 are possiblein other embodiments. In some embodiments, at least one tether 318 isflexible or elastic in nature and may be adjusted to an appropriatelength using conventional techniques or otherwise to provide a desiredforce against the coil for holding it in place. In other embodiments, atleast one tether 318 is a rigid tether 318 and that may be adjusted toan appropriate length, such as a telescoped rod.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the tethers 318 is under sufficienttension to direct pressure against the upper surface of the coil 310from each arm 40 to secure the coil 310 during transit. In this regard,the tension of each tether 318 may be adjusted as desired usingconventional techniques. Note that tethering tabs 160 on distal ends ofeach on arm 40 couple each tether 318 to each arm 40. Each tether 318couples to a tethering bracket 165 on the frame of the carrier 25,according to conventional techniques (for example, via a shackle orcarabiner). As shown by FIG. 5, the upper ends of arms 40 are forcedagainst the coil 310 at a point above the center of mass of the coil310. In other embodiments, it is unnecessary to use tethers 318 todirect pressure against an upper portion of a coil 310 from each arm 40,and other techniques are possible to ensure that the arms 40 applysufficient pressure against an upper portion of a coil 310 to secure itduring transit. As an example, each of the arms 40 may be pivoted by amotor in order to press the upper end of the arm 40 against an uppersurface of the coil 310.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of an anchoring tab 28 inserted into a slot 229of a flatbed carrier 5. As described above, the tab 28 is fitted intoone of the plurality of slots 229 between a side rail 10 and the deck 7of the carrier 5. Note that the tab 28 extends below a bottom end of theside rail 10 to provide additional lateral and horizontal support. Nuts180 are threaded onto the threaded bolts 175 and tightened against thebracing member 170 such that the nuts 180 and threaded bolts 175 holdthe bracing member 170 against the mainframe 13 of the carrier 5 and theanchoring beam 22 against the deck 7 of the carrier 5. Note that, inother embodiments, any combination of nuts 180 and bolts 175 can be usedto secure a bracing member 170 and anchoring member 22 to the carrier 5.In some embodiments, other devices such as a clamp or vise may be usedto secure each anchoring beam 22 to the carrier 5.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a tethering bracket 165. The tetheringbracket 165 is generally flat with a hooked end, has a generally uniformthickness, and has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from theabove, although other shapes are possible. In one embodiment, thebracket 165 has rounded corners on an upper end of the bracket 165opposite the hooked end. A hole 350 provides a location for receiving orcoupling to a tether 318. In an exemplary embodiment, a tether 318passes through the hole 350 in order to loop through or otherwise coupleto the tethering bracket 165. In other embodiments, for example, whenusing a shackle or carabiner to attach the tether 318 to the tetheringbracket 165, the tether 318 may couple to the tethering bracket 165independently of the hole 350, or may pass through or otherwise coupleto the hole 350 via other coupling devices.

FIG. 8 shows a rear view of a tethering bracket 165. In an exemplaryembodiment, a slot 355 on the hooked end of the anchoring bracket 165opposite the end where the hole 350 is located fits over a portion ofthe mainframe 13 of the flatbed carrier 5. In this regard, the tetheringbracket 165 braces against the mainframe 13 of the carrier 5 when thetether 318 is under tension. A bolt 360 located on the tethering bracket165 tightens to generate sufficient pressure between the tetheringbracket 165 and the mainframe 13 of the carrier 5 to couple theanchoring bracket 165 securely to the mainframe 13 when the slot 355 isfitted over a portion of the mainframe 13. In other embodiments thetethering bracket 165 may be coupled to the mainframe 13 of the carrier5 via other means.

FIG. 9 shows a three-dimensional perspective view of a tethering bracket165. Note that in the instant embodiment, the tethering bracket 165 fitsover a portion of the mainframe 13 of a carrier 5 having a thicknessroughly corresponding to the thickness of the slot 355. In otherembodiments, the bracket 165 may adjust to accommodate a mainframe 13 orother component of a carrier 5 having varying thicknesses, orinconsistent thicknesses. In yet other embodiments, the bracket 165 maybe reinforced via increased thickness in areas of the bracket 165experiencing high levels of stress or strain during loading.

Now, therefore, the folling is claimed:
 1. A system for transporting acoil, comprising: a flatbed carrier; a plurality of anchoring beamsmounted on the flatbed carrier; a plurality of support beams coupled tothe anchoring beams; a plurality of cargo supports coupled to thesupport beams, wherein the coil is situated on the cargo supports; aplurality of arms extending from the anchoring beams and pressed againstthe coil for securing the coil to the flatbed carrier, the plurality ofarms including a first arm pressed against a first side of the coil, asecond arm pressed against the first side of the coil, a third armpressed against a second side of the coil, and a fourth arm pressedagainst the second side of the coil, wherein a first cross membercouples the first arm to the second arm, and wherein a second crossmember couples the third arm to the fourth arm; and a plurality oftethers coupled to the arms for holding each of the arms against anouter surface of the coil, the plurality of tethers including a firsttether, a second tether, a third tether, and a fourth tether, whereinthe first tether couples the first arm to a first bracket mounted on theflatbed carrier, wherein the second tether couples the second arm to asecond bracket mounted on the flatbed carrier, wherein the third tethercouples the third arm to a third bracket mounted on the flatbed carrier,and wherein the fourth tether couples the fourth arm to a fourth bracketmounted on the flatbed carrier.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of anchoring beams comprises a plurality of support bracketsfor holding the support beams.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein a pincouples one of the support beams to one of the support brackets.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the arms comprises a firstsegment and a second segment that is movable relative to the firstsegment for adjusting a length of the at least one arm in order toaccommodate a size of the coil.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst bracket is mounted on an underside of the flatbed carrier.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first tether comprises a chain.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the plurality of anchoring beams include atleast a first anchoring beam and a second anchoring beam, wherein theplurality of support beams include at least a first support beam and asecond support beam, wherein the plurality of cargo supports comprise atleast a first cargo support through which the first support beam passesand a second cargo support through which the second support beam passes,wherein the first cargo support is slidable along the first supportbeam, and wherein the second cargo support is slidable along the firstsupport beam.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cargo supportis secured to the first support beam by a pin passing through the firstcargo support and the first support beam, and wherein the second cargosupport is secured to the second support beam by a pin passing throughthe second cargo support and the second support beam.